Here are some of the most loved poems in the English language, chosen not merely for their popularity, but for their literary quality as well. Dating from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, these splendid poems remain evergreen in their capacity to engage our minds and refresh our spirits.
BALLADS
Lord Randal
Sir Patrick Spens
SIR THOMAS WYATF (I 503-1542)
The Lover Showeth How He Is Forsaken of Such as He
Sometime Enjoyed
CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE (1564-1593)
The Passionate Shepherd to His Love
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (1564-1616)
Sonnet XVIII ("Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?")
Sonnet LXXIII ("That time of year thou mayst in me
behold")
Sonnet XCIV ("They that have power to hurt and will do
none")
Sonnet CXVI ("Let me not to the marriage of true minds")
THOMAS NASHE (1567-1601)
"Adieu, Farewell Earth's Bliss"
JOHN DONNE (1572-1631)
The Good Morrow
Holy Sonnet X ("Death be not proud, though some have
called thee")
Holy Sonnet XIV ("Batter my heart, three-person'd God;
for, you")
BEN JONSON (1572-1637)
To Celia
On My First Son
ROBERT HERRICK (1591-1674)
To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time
Upon Julia's Clothes
GEORGE HERBERT (1593-1633)
Love Bade Me Welcome
EDMUND WALLER (1606-1687)
Song ("Go, lovely Rose--")
JOHN MILTON (1608-1674)
On His Blindness
On His Deceased Wife
SIR JOHN SUCKLING (1609-1642)
"Why So Pale and Wan, Fond Lover?"
RICHARD LOVELACE (1618-1658)
To Lucasta, Going to the Wars
ANDREW MARVELL (I 621-1678)
To His Coy Mistress
HENRY VAUGHAN (1622-1695)
The Retreat
THOMAS GRAY (1716-1771)
Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard
Ode on the Death ofa Favourite Cat, Drowned in a Tub of
Gold Fishes
WILLIAM BLAKE '1757-1827)
The Lamb
The Sick Rose
The Tyger
London
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